Overflow pools represent the perfection of pool construction. The whole pool and its surface is getting cleaned continuously. Furthermore they are a very elegant solution.
There are several types of designs. The most common is that the watersurface is exactly at the same level than the surrounding floor. A very spectacular version is the Infinity channel, which seems to fuse the horizont with the surface while swimming.
The construction of an overflow pool needs more space than the normal skimmer pool, due to the surrounding channel. Also must be added a seperate compensation tank, which retains the overflowed water.
The result is impressing, you obtain a competely clean surface, which is one of the reasons why public pools are buit in this manner.
Principle of an overflow pool
Overflow pool with compensation tank and heating circuit with proper pump.